CU Professionals Forum Wraps Up in Fargo

​Representatives from DakCU member credit unions meet for a day of networking and collaborating on issues of importance in our region. 

Representatives from both large and small Dakota credit unions gathered at the Delta Hotel in Fargo, ND yesterday for the annual CU Professionals Forum and Large Credit Union CEO Roundtable. Each year, this event draws a diverse sampling from DakCU member credit unions, all with one common goal: to engage in meaningful conversation about issues that are important to Dakota credit unions and their members.

The day started out with an open session and luncheon for both CU Professionals and Large Credit Union CEOs, with special guest Barb Lowman, President of CUNA Strategic Services (CSS). Lowman is a well-known credit union technology and operations professional with a proven track record of delivering innovative products and service to help credit unions and their members thrive.

Lowman complimented both George McDonald, DakCU’s Chief Officer of Strategic Services and Jeff Olson, DakCU President/CEO for their engagement, involvement, and support of our System Partner, CSS. She also reviewed system collaboration priorities, and the vetting process and oversight of preferred providers, ensuring that CSS continues to provide the best options for our credit unions and their members. In addition, as our industry continues to focus on Financial Well-Being For All, CSS is bridging the digital divide with fintech solutions and tools, as well as ensuring that small credit unions receive viable solutions for their specific needs.

(As a reminder, DakCU members are encouraged to reach out to George McDonald if you have any questions about CSS providers or are looking for a vendor to solve a particular need.)

Following the luncheon and presentation, the groups broke into two separate meetings: Large Credit Union CEOs met with Jeff Olson; all other CU Professionals met for a roundtable discussion led by DakCU staff including Amy Kleinschmit, Chief Compliance Officer; Jay Kruse, Chief Advocacy Officer; and George McDonald.

Left photo shows Large CU CEO Roundtable; right photo CU Professionals.

Some of the discussion topics submitted by attendees included multiple areas of human resources, such as preferred hiring and retention practices, incentive pay, and salary considerations, just to name a few. CECL was a hot topic once again, along with NCUA exams, operating efficiencies, effective financial reporting, lending issues, debit card system pros and cons, and so much more!

The day ended with a casual social sponsored by Millennium Corporate, where conversations continued among attendees, while also enjoying complimentary beverages and hors d'oeuvres.
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Today, many of the attendees from the Professionals Forum will be gathering at Fargo’s Rose Creek Golf Course for the Dakota Credit Union Foundation’s annual Golf Scramble and a chance to win $10,000 cash if they manage to achieve a hole-in-one on the designated prize hole! This event helps support the Foundation’s efforts to promote financial well-being for all with grants and scholarships that support those goals. Stay tuned to the Memo on Friday for the final results!